Lower soil fertility was identified as a major problem affecting crop yield in Burundi, especially at Bihunge, a hill of Matongo commune Kayanza province. An experiment was therefore carried out with five treatments to assess the effective and economically affordable treatment on maze growth parameters improvement. The experimental has considered five treatments: the control (T1); Compost from maize residues + mineral adjuvant (T2); Compost from maize residues + organic adjuvant based on Calliandra calothyrsus Meisn (T3); ISABU formula for maize fertilization (T4); the maize compost + Calliandra + recommended mineral fertilization for maize (T5)), in randomized complete blocks with three replications for each. The recorded parameters were the leaves number, plant height, stem girth as well as the leaf area. After analysis with SPSS and Advanced Excel, results showed a significant difference between treatments. The treatment T4 was the most effective in improving all growth parameters than others and showed a significant difference from treatments T1, T2, and T3. However, it did not differ to treatment T5 which also significantly differed from other treatments with P<0.05. Treatment T5 has also effectively enhanced the leaves number, plant height, stem girth, and leaf area as treatment T4, and was in the same variation range as this treatment T4. As the effectiveness of T5 was based on the combination of calliandra which has more potential in improving soil fertility and nutrient followed by better fostering of nutrients to the plant leading to better-improved plant growth, this treatment was considered as the effective and farmer accessible treatment for maize cultivation.
The present investigation highlights and compares the direct and residual fertilizer values of maize (Zea mays L.) stover composted with Calliandra calothyrsus Meisn and Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray green manure on maize (Zea mays L.) and successive potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). Two field studies were installed with maize and a successive potato crops in a completely randomized block design (CRBD) with three replicates. Statistical analyses were performed using Rcommander, version 4.0.2. Grain yields, root biomass, above ground biomass and calculated parameters (Root/Shoot ratio, Harvest Index and GinningRate) were evaluated for maize. Total potato yields were evaluated and categorized into small size tubers (SST < 35 mm) medium size tubers (MST: 35-65 mm) and big size tubers (BST > 65 mm). Treatments under evaluation were: T 1 =Control, T 2 =Farm (cow) manure alone, T 3 =Maize stover co-composted with Calliandra calothyrsus Meisn green manure; T 4 = Maize stover co-composted with Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray green manure; T 5 = Farm (cow) manure+45-60-30; T 6 = Maize stover co-composted with Calliandra calothyrsus Meisn green manure+45-60-30; T 7 =Maize stover co-composted with Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray green manure+45-60-30; and T 8 =Farm (cow) manure+FOMI Imbura+FOMI Totahaza. Obtained results indicated highest maize yields with FOMI organo-mineral fertilizers (2.7 T/ha) seconded by the recommended fertilizer practice T 5 (2 T/ha). In the same line, highest R/S value (=0.38) was registered with the same FOMI treatment (T 8 ), while the highest HI value (0.21) was observed with the maize stover co-composted with Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray (T 4 ). Highest potato total yields were observed with the maize stover compost enriched with Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray and supplemented with mineral fertilizer (7.61 T/ha), followed by the same compost without mineral fertilizer addition (6.35 T/ha). We conclude our study with the following statements: i) the highest direct fertilizer value was observed with the FOMI treatment; ii) the residual fertilizer effects were more expressed with the maize stover co-composted with Tithonia diversifolia A. Gray green manure with or without mineral additive, followed by farm manure and maize stover enriched with Calliandra calothyrsus Meisn green manure. Consequently, we restate that the effects of compost-based organo-mineral fertilizers on crop yields should be definitely evaluated on a multiseasonal basis so as to fully capture their residual fertilizer potentials.
The present investigation aimed at evaluating the effect of Calliandra calothyrsus Meisn green manure on the quality improvement of maize (Zea mays L.) stover compost. To that end, two field experiments were installed with maize (Zea mays L.) and a successive potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) crop, which was specifically set up to investigate the potential residual effects of tested organo-mineral fertilizers. The potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) crop did not receive any fertilizer, either organic or mineral. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three replicates. The basic experimental plot was 1.6 m wide and 3 m long (4.8 m²). Treatments under evaluation were: T1=Control, T2=Maize stover co-composted with mineral fertilizer, T3=Maize stover co-compost with Calliandra calothyrsus Meisn green manure; T4=Farm manure+45-60-30; and T5=Maize stover co-composted with Calliandra calothyrsus Meisn green manure+45-60-30. Evaluated parameters were grain yields, root biomass, above-ground biomass, Harvest Index, and Root/Shoot ratio for maize (Zea mays L.). Potato yields were categorized into small size (< 35 mm), medium size (35-65 mm) and big size tubers (> 65 mm). Significant effects (p < 0.001) of tested fertilizer treatments were observed for maize grain yields (GY), above-ground biomass (AGB), and root biomass (RB). No effect (p > 0.05) of fertilizer treatments could be noticed on the harvest index (HI=0.31-0.38) or R/S ratio (0.079-0.088). For the successive potato crop, a significant effect (p < 0.001) of tested treatments was only observed for the seed-oriented medium size tubers (MST) potato yield. Overall, the most relevant observation of the maize experiment is that treatments T4 and T5 gave higher and equivalent grain and biomass yields. From there, we derive that maize stover co-composted with Calliandra calothyrsus Meisn green manure could be a sound substitute to farm manure. Additionally, the potato experiment highlighted the residual effects of the T3 treatment, statistically equivalent to that of T2. Consequently, we advise that the effects of compost-based organo-mineral fertilizers on crop yields should be evaluated beyond a single seasonal crop, in order to fully catch their residual fertilizer potentials.
Erosion negatively affects crop yields and decreases crop productivity. It removes nutrients, reduces rooting depth, and damages soil structure, resulting in negative nutrient balances and lower crop yields. A study for two years was conducted using three soil erosion control methods to appraise the method which could effectively control erosion and improve bean production characteristics on a hill more prone to erosion. Designed on three different plots (P1, P2, P3) divided in four sub plots (S1, S2, S3, S4), these methods were traditional plowing method (M1); anti-erosive hedges planting method (M2) and anti-erosive hedges coupled with anti-erosive ditches (M3). The recorded parameters were the number of: pods, full pods and grains, as well as the average yield weight. After analysis with SPSS and Advanced excel, results showed no significant difference between M1 and M2 but highlighted the significant effects of M3 method in improving the number of: pods, full pods and grains. Likewise, this method has somehow enhanced the average yield weight. These outcomes suggest M3 as the most effective method in enhancing bean production characteristics and yield at Buhoro hill. Hosted file Article Erosion control on Yield new file.doc available at https://authorea.com/users/ 340120/articles/467269-influences-of-different-soil-erosion-control-methods-on-beanproduction-characteristics-and-yield
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